In the wake of a disaster, our trained volunteers arrive on the scene and immediately do an assessment to determine what is needed and wanted. Then the work begins.
When disaster strikes, we hit the ground. We coordinate with first responders and government agencies responsible for managing the incident, and assess the situation to find how best to serve. Depending on the results of the assessment, CSDR volunteers can provide the following in order to help those in need:
- Clean up and debris removal
- Chain saw teams
- POD management
- Address unmet needs
- Flood and fire clean up
- “How to Stay Well” education (more info)
- Shelter management support
- Food distribution help
- Immediate volunteer assistance
- First responder aid
- Organizational tools
- Logistics and transportation help
- Government agencies & VOAD partners support
Emotional and spiritual care for survivors, responders and care-givers
“Spirituality is an essential part of humanity. Disaster disrupts people’s spiritual lives significantly. Nurturing people’s spiritual needs contributes to holistic healing. Everyone can benefit from Spiritual Care in times of disaster.”
– National VOAD publication “Light our Way”
One of the Churches of Scientology Disaster Response’s main roles at a disaster is emotional and spiritual care for survivors, responders and care-givers. The Scientology Volunteer Ministers specialize in providing “Assists” – simple, light, non-intrusive emotional and spiritual stress relief techniques developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. These ‘Assists’: Establish order and calm in an area; address and alleviate the emotional/spiritual effects of physical pain, shock and trauma; orient a confused or distraught individual to his present environment; help survivors, responders and care-givers regain calmness, stability, control and help them cope with the immediate situation more rapidly and effectively. (more info)